Volumetric Cardboard

This project is to design a form taking up space (volumetric) that has an interesting perspective when viewed from different angles and perspectives. For this work of art, I used three cardboard forms and recycled origami. The white square forms are intended to illustrate the formality as well as the parameters of an art assignment. The pyramid structure in the middle of the work represents the complexity of a creative idea within the controlled environment of the assignment. The multiple sides of the pyramid represent the multiple facets of a single idea. The color and pattern on alternating interior sides of forms are intended to draw the eye into the sculpture and to encourage viewer to walk around the piece.

Developing a Creative Idea within a Structured Framework (h 25”x w 25”x l 25”)

Research

I found the volumetric sculptures by Vadim Kharchenko to be especially inspiring. The Ukrainian born sculptor creates geometric metal sculptures that appear modern, contemporary, and industrial in style. I am especially drawn to how his sculptures are successful both in indoor and outdoor settings and are inviting to the viewer from all angles. I am also inspired by his use of geometric forms to create a balanced sculpture but feel that the solidness of the forms appear a bit weighted. I plan to incorporate the use of the cube in my sculpture but will open up the form to add a lightness to my own design.

Trinity Vadim Kharchenko (steel) 2019

Scott Burton is a sculptor best known for his large scale furniture sculptures made up of stone and bronze. His untitled work (Red/ Yellow/ Blue Cube) was unique to his body of work and captured my attention right away. I especially love his bold use of color and geometric form in this particular piece and how it invites the viewer to see the piece from all angles. I feel however that the solidness of all of his forms in this piece are a bit too simplistic in design.I plan to incorporate both his bold use of color and form in my own sculpture.

Untitled (Red/Yellow/Blue Cube) Scott Burton 1979-1980 Lacquer on particle board

John Wilbar investigates shape, form and the effects of light and shadow in his sculptures. I love his use of bright and bold colors in his sculptures and how he uses geometric abstractions to create a space that plays with the light. I find that the light and shadows he creates within his own artwork invites the viewer into the piece. I am not drawn to his use of color in this piece since I do not feel like it connects well with the landscape. I plan to incorporate the use of light and shadows to play a similar role in my own art piece.

Matrix John Wilbar (wood, acrylic stucco/ fiberglass embed) 2018

Eric Ferber is a French artist known for his large-scale sculptures. He often works with aluminum, stainless steel and weathered steel to create sculptures for outdoor spaces. I was particularly drawn to his designs that involve the cube since I found them interesting to look at and inviting to view from all angles. While I like the color choice since I find it blends well with the landscape, I do not find the stand that the form rests on a bit of a distraction for this piece. I plan to incorporate the open form of the cube within the design of my own piece.

Acier Eric Ferber (weathered steel) 2014

Josecho Lopez plays with geometric abstraction in his sculptures. What attracts me to his contemporary style sculptures are the simple shapes and defined lines in his design. His works appear balanced as well as harmonious and light which I believe can be attributed to his use of negative space within his pieces. In my opinion I find his lack of color not particularly successful in this piece. I plan to incorporate his use of defined edges as well as his use of negative space since I aim to achieve a visual balance in my own sculpture design.

Geometric Cube Structure Josecho Lopez (wood) 2019

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Thumbnail Sketches

To begin my own design process, I created several thumbnail sketches to streamline my own volumetric form design.

Project Proposal

After selecting my design, I began calculating the measurements in my sketchbook for each of the three forms that would be included in my final design.

In Process Documentation

Before making the actual sculpture, I began by creating a maquette out of Bristol board from the measurements calculated in the sketchbook. Then, I doubled the measurements for the final design and made sure to write down all these coordinates again in my sketchbook to keep track of where the various elements would live in space.

All of the sides of the forms were measured out onto cardboard to ensure a minimal amount of waste material was left over. Using the exacto knife, a rule, and a T-square I cut each piece out. Several dozen cardboard tabs were also prepared in order to provide a securing and closing mechanism for all sides of the structure.

I hot glued the tabs inside the structure making sure to leave one side open for each form to be able to manipulate and glue the tabs within each form. This step minimized any hot glue being noticed from the outside.

In order to provide additional support for the piece, I prepared a cardboard dowel to be secured and attached through the base of all three forms. This dowel will ensure that my overall structure would be secure and would not move.

Once the final form’s sides were secured with tabs and glue, adhesive tape was next applied to every side of all three forms. This step made all the formed edges appear clean and crisp especially when trying to account for any cardboard measurement imperfections.

The completed forms were then coated with a layer of gesso and multiple layers of glossy white acrylic paint. For a final touch I chose to enhance with color sorted ripped pieces of patterned origami to the interior of the square forms along with the alternating sides of the pyramid and then coated with mat mod podge.

Final Images

Reflection

I discovered how important accuracy is with this project of this nature. I re-measured and re-cut multiple times during this project. A slight mis-measurement can end up compounding when scaling a project multiple times. While frustrating, it really helped me appreciate how important the phase of preparation for a project like this is.

I found that I had great success with my project design and the concept behind my piece. I believe that my attempt to draw the viewer around the piece by applying colorful patterned paper as a finishing touch worked well. This project really forced me to brush up on my geometry and focus on spatial awareness. I also learned how to scale up my design from my maquette.

If I were to do this project again I would reduce the scale of the largest outer cube form. I would have liked to bring this piece back with me but it was too large to pack. This would only be an adjustment to make the logistics of travel a bit easier. This project brought me some inspiration to incorporate more volumetric forms work into my 7th grade art curriculum. For the classroom experience, students will first be required to create their own form, then collaborate with classmates to design a still-life incorporating their forms which they will photograph. To complete this lesson, students will then learn how to draw a still life incorporating their forms. I feel this would be a great hands on introduction into three dimensional projects and spatial awareness.

During our trip to the art museum, I discovered on the entry wall to the gallery the work of Frank Stella. I found his work to be an inspiring example that I plan to bring back to my teaching experience. For this inspired lesson, I plan to orchestrate a collaborative piece where my middle school students select their own found forms to prime, paint and arrange in a collaborative installation.

"Zandvoort" Frank Stella (mixed media) 1981

I find the “push pull'' between the necessity of the parameters of an assignment with equal importance on the freedom students need to express themselves and their own individuality is something that I struggle with in the classroom almost daily. Students often want free choice but enjoy the experience of having structure and a set of expectations. This challenge was the inspiration behind my piece.

Materials Required:

• Bristol Board (for maquette)

• Ruler

• Exacto and utility knives & replacement blades

• Self -healing mat

• Hot glue gun and glue sticks

• Several pieces of Cardboard

• Packing tape

• Gesso

• Acrylic paint

Helpful Materials:

• Measuring tape

• Protractor

• Angle Finder

• Strong Scissors